Tag: The Gospels

Removing barriers (Mark 10)

We are travelling with Jesus to Jerusalem to the Temple and towards the time of Jesus’s death and resurrection. On route Jesus will encounter those who seek to block and oppose him. We will also see the barriers that others face. First, we see Jesus confronted by the religious leaders seeking to test him. We… Continue reading Removing barriers (Mark 10)

Why were there leftovers at the feeding of the 5000?

We know the answer don’t we? It’s obvious.  Ny providing an abundance, Jesus was demonstrating his ability to provide all that his people needed. The Twelve baskets meant that each disciple had something to take away. More than that, they symbolised the 12 tribes, so that we saw Christ’s abundant provision for his people. However,… Continue reading Why were there leftovers at the feeding of the 5000?

The man who went up a hill and came down a mountain to chaos

Which scene in the Bible do you think the heading is referring to?  In Mark 9, Jesus goes up  a hill/mountain with a few of his disciples. There at the summit, there is a revelation of God’s glory, an encounter with The Law (Moses) and The Prophets (Elijah) and God speaks.  When they come down… Continue reading The man who went up a hill and came down a mountain to chaos

Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)

I want to ask you two questions.  We are heading into a difficult winter with rising prices, a cost of living crisis and an energy crisis. Even with the help offered by the government, many will struggle.  Are you anxious as we head into the winter?  Perhaps you’re thinking that even if domestic energy costs… Continue reading Jesus satisfies (Luke 9:10-17)

A second look (Mark 8:22-26)

I identify with the blind man healed in Mark 8:22-26. I’ve often sat in the optician’s chair as he’s moved lenses around pausing to ask “better here … or better here.” Ninety five percent of the time I find myself saying “about the same.” I used to worry that I was giving the wrong answer… Continue reading A second look (Mark 8:22-26)

Food shortage? (Mark 8:13-21)

After refusing to give the Pharisees a sign, Jesus heads off with his disciples across Galilee by boat.  Once again we are faced with a bread crisis. The Disciples have only remembered to bring along one loaf of bread, that’s probably a small loaf so it’s not going to feed all of them. This seems… Continue reading Food shortage? (Mark 8:13-21)

Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)

Sometimes I wonder what tone Mark expects us to read different episodes from his Gospel in and where the emphasis is.  I imagine that 8:1 is meant to sound something like: “and the people ran out of food AGAIN.” We’ve been here before, and at first sight it looks like Galileans were poor planners.  This… Continue reading Worth doing twice (Mark 8:1-7)